We All Need Another Eli

At the end of the Old Testament, the minor prophets foretold of a period of silence.  After several years of warning, one day, at the appointed time, God became silent.  Over a time of 400 years, from Malachi to the conception of John the Baptist, God did not say a word.  Today, Christians and non-Christians alike experience a similar feeling, like God has turned off the lights.

While in the dark or during days of uncertainty, its important to remember history.  Studying chapters like 1 Corinthians 10 helps put life into its proper perspective and hopefully will allow us to avoid making the same mistakes of Israel.  Before all the biblical judges were corrupted in 1 Samuel 8:1-3, there was a man named Eli who was in touch with the Spirit of God.  Eli was a priest who began to train a young boy, Samuel, in the ways of the Lord.  However, like today, the word of the Lord was rare and few visions were seen, 1 Samuel 3:1.

After God spoke to Samuel twice in a dream, Eli was able to connect him with God, 1 Samuel 3:9, giving Samuel the words to say.  Although the message Samuel received was bad news, Eli introduced him to the concept that God speaks to his children.  In a world of pessimism and gloom, everyone needs a person like Eli to give us a glimmer of hope.  We need a person who can break through, into the supernatural, to provide us with a heavenly view.  As we wait for the next time for God to speak, remember Eli’s response, “speak Lord for your servant is listening.”

by Jay Mankus